Alternate timeline where Mikaela escaped, too and essentially took Mitsuba's place in the Shinoa squad. In terms of the the original timeline, this takes place after the events of chapter 9.

Yuu sighed and leaned back, listening to one of the civilians talk to Shinoa. That man was ridiculous. He didn't mind being livestock? He was fine with him and his family being at the mercy of a bunch of filthy bloodsuckers?

'I would have given anything to have been freed. To not seen them die...'

He jumped when someone pressed a smooth leather surface against his face and looked up at his friend.

"I thought you might want some water," Mika explained with a smile, handing over the canteen in his hand. "Where are Yoichi and Kimizuki?"

"They're scouting ahead," Yuu said distractedly, taking a sip of water.

"By themselves?" Mika asked, his eyes widening slightly in alarm. "The area could be swarming with more vampires. Maybe we should- Yuu?" The blond prodded when he noticed his friend wasn't listening. "What's wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, it's just..." He hesitated, tightening his grip on the canteen. Mikaela looked at him worriedly and followed Yuu's frustrated gaze to the people they had just freed.

Oh.

"If it helps, I feel the same way."

"We spent four years in that damn city!" Yuu exploded, "Four years dreaming and hoping that we could escape! It took our entire family's death to get us to this point and these guys are angry that we're here to help them? Do they realize how lucky they are? That they're not cattle anymore? That no one had to die? That they don't have to- get off of me, Mika!"

He struggled against the warm hug that had enveloped him, but the attempt was halfhearted and he was too drained to continue. Eventually he surrendered and relaxed against the body beside him, though he made sure that his elbow was digging uncomfortably into his friend's stomach.

"That hurts, Yuu."

"You deserve it," he huffed before slumping against Mikaela as a silence enveloped them.

"We shouldn't compare our situations," Mika said eventually. "We fought for our freedom and they fought for their survival. It's not fair to say they lived the same way we did." Yuu opened his mouth to protest, but stopped himself when he felt the tension in the arms around him and saw the frustration burning in the blond's blue eyes.

"But it still hurts doesn't it?" He asked quietly.

Mikaela didn't respond, but the silence was answer enough. With a sigh, Yuu wrapped his arms around the surprised blond.

"Yuu?"

"We may not have been freed like the people here, but the only reason I'm still alive is because of you. If it wasn't for you, we would all still be in Sanguinem as livestock, so stop blaming yourself." He felt Mika try to sit up, but he continued quietly. "We won't forget them, but we can't be dragged down. We need to move onward."

He let his words sink in and they sat together, his arms still around Mikaela as they watched Shinoa direct the last of the civilians. Finally, Mika let out a soft sigh.

"...When did you suddenly become so smart?"

Yuu jerked away and sputtered in indignation, "Hey! I'm trying to-"

"Thank you, Yuu," Mika laughed and returned the hug with such a warm smile that Yuu unconsciously looked away, his face suddenly flushed.

"Hey lovebirds! Yoichi and Kimizuki are back. We need to get moving!" The two started and looked over to Shinoa who was waving and smiling at them coyly.

"We're coming!" Mikaela answered with a laugh, a faint blush on his cheeks before laughing harder when Yuuichiro shouted, "And we're not lovebirds!" with his ears burning red from embarrassment.

"Whatever you say," she practically sang with with a knowing smile. With the entire squad gathered, her face became serious. "Alright, we need to go and meet up with the Lieutenant Colonel and join his forces there."

"Next stop, Shinjuku.".